Chronic otitis media is one of the most common otolaryngologic diseases found in Korea. It refers to chronic inflammatory disease of the middle ear cleft with active irreversible tissue pathology, which is manifested by otorrhea and tympanic membrane perforation. This survey was undertaken to estimate the prevalence rate of chronic otitis media in primary school children of Chungnam area. From April, 1980 through April, 1982, total number of 64,264 primary school children were examined, 12,974 from city, 21,167 from town, 17,996 from farming village and 12,127 from fishing village, by means of otoscopy. Children who had perforated tympanic membrane with or without discharge, were taken as the subjects in this study. The results were as follows : 1) The prevalence rate of chronic otitis media was 0.76% in this study. 2) It was more prevalent in male and in older age group. 3) Chronic otitis media was much more prevalent in fishing village(1.13%) and farming village(0.86%) than in city(0.54%) and town(0.61%). 4) In this study, we have demonstrated that the prevalence rate was tied to poorer living conditions and lower educational level of parents. 5) Chronologically there is noticeable decrease in the prevalence rate of chronic otitis media with time. And it seems to be reduced with gradual improvement of socioeconomic condition.